Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
Labour Market Priorities for Physicians is a program under the Nominee Program of Nova Scotia (NSNP), a PNP administered by the province. This program points out qualified physicians with an energetic profile in the governmental EE pool.
This program gives a bridge between the Labour Market Priorities Program, targeting applicants in the Governmental EE pool, and the Physician Program, pointing out group physicians and specialist physicians. Those chosen by the province to get a nomination will gain an additional 600 points to their EE profile, presenting them as very aggressive for accepting an ITA for Canadian permanent residency.
Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Program Eligibility Requirements
To get eligible for this stream, you must follow these requirements for applying quickly.
- Upon receiving a Letter of Interest from NSOI, candidates are required to submit their application within 30 days of the letter’s issuance.
- Candidates must secure an approved job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre as a general practitioner and family physician or a specialist physician, as per NOC 3112 or NOC 3111.
- Demonstrating eligibility for the Express Entry class, including meeting work experience requirements, is essential.
- Signing a Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, committing to a two-year stay in the province, is mandatory.
- Adequate settlement funds must be shown to successfully establish oneself in Nova Scotia, covering immigration costs and travel expenses. Applications won’t be approved if the projected family income is expected to fall below Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).
- Legal status in the applicant’s country of residence during the application process is necessary.
Moreover, applicants must meet language requirements:
- Attainment of a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 across all language abilities (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in English or French is mandatory, regardless of the applicant’s first language. Language test results must be valid and not older than two years.
- Acceptable language tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, TEF, and TCF, with specific score requirements to achieve CLB level 7.
Education and work experience requirements must also be fulfilled:
- Applicants must provide proof of education or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by the Medical Council of Canada, demonstrating eligibility for licensure in Nova Scotia.
- Minimum work-experience requirements under either the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program must be met, supported by letters of reference from all previous employers.
Financial requirements include proof of settlement funds meeting federal guidelines and proof of immigration status:
- Immigration applicants must possess sufficient funds, as recommended by federal guidelines, and provide proof of financial resources in their name or their spouse’s name.
- Valid passports for all family members and proof of legal status, either as a temporary worker or visitor for those residing in Canada, must be provided.
Additionally, any previous immigration applications must be disclosed, accompanied by relevant documentation.
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Application Procedure
Let’s discuss the application procedure for the Labour Market Priorities for Physicians:
1. Express Entry Profile Notification to NSOI
Before applying to the Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians, candidates are required to have an Express Entry profile.
Upon completion of the federal Express Entry profile, candidates should share their profile number with NSOI.
If candidates meet the criteria, they will receive a Letter of Interest (LOI) in their IRCC online account.
LOIs are exclusively offered to physicians who have:
- Created an Express Entry profile.
- Received an approved job offer from NSHA or IWK.
- Signed a Return of Service Agreement.
- Expressed interest in relocating to Nova Scotia within the Express Entry system.
2. Application to NSNP under the Labour Market Priorities Stream
Within 30 days of receiving the LOI, applicants should submit their applications to NSNP under the Labour Market Priorities Stream.
Applications must be lodged through Nova Scotia’s website, accompanied by all necessary supporting documents.
NSOI suggests that documents:
- Are sent as PDF files.
- Maintain clarity.
- Use color scanning for images.
- Are scanned at a resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch.
- Have not undergone enhancement or editing.
- Do not exceed 50 MB in size.
- Have filenames under 50 characters.
Non-English or non-French documents must be submitted in the original language with certified translations.
3. Nomination or Refusal
Nomination under the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream is at NSOI’s discretion.
Nomination:
- If approved, candidates will receive notification through their IRCC online account and a Nomination Certificate via email.
- Applicants have 30 days to accept the nomination in the Express Entry system.
- Once accepted, IRCC will invite to apply for permanent residency.
Intent to Refuse:
- NSOI may issue an Intent to Refuse to applicants with incomplete applications, with 10 business days provided for additional information submission.
- Extensions may be granted under exceptional circumstances.
- The final decision will be communicated via email.
Refusal:
- NSOI will notify applicants by email of application refusal, with no appeal process available.
4. Temporary Work Permit
Upon receiving a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia, candidates can request a letter of support from the Office of Immigration for a temporary work permit application, replacing the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The temporary work permit allows candidates to work in Canada during their permanent residency application processing.
- Renewal applications should be submitted three months before expiry.
- Passports must be valid during the requested time frame for IRCC approval.
5. Extension of Nomination
NSOI may grant a one-time, six-month extension of nomination under the NSNP, based on documented extenuating circumstances.
6. Nomination for Permanent Residence
Upon obtaining permanent residency, applicants must inform NSOI within 30 days of arriving in Nova Scotia, providing copies of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence, passport, and current contact details.